DUNES

I first discovered the second album of the band and quite liked it. So I decided to give it a spin to their first one. FYI, this band plays pure instrumental music, but that's fine with me. This album is dominated by the use of keyboards but electric guitar is quite present too.

Darkest Light opens the album quite beautifully : slow & very melodic intro. The tempo speeds up and then turns really frenetic with a quite hard guitar solo before being again quieter towards the end. A very good and diversified track indeed.

Countdown reminds me ''Genesis'' (Cinema Show) influences strike hard ... But that's not to bad a reference, is it ? Lots of mellotron in this track and a guitar solo that has some moods of Mr. Carlos Santana himself (Samba Pa Ti / Europa style). Lots of emotion here for me...and the highlight from this good album.

Over The Sea reminds me of ''Land's End'' (but that's almost normal with such a title track) : good piece of music also built in crescendo. Next tracks Dunes & Dream's Cost are more recommended when you are ready to enter Morpheus' arms. Again, quite Land's Endesque for the former while the second one will draw you into Gilmour's arms.

The closing track ''All About Us'' is built like most of the other ones : a nice crescendo sequence with keyboards which is leading to the guitar solo. Maybe a bit too much stereotyped though. This is globally a good effort that deserves three stars.